Question

what is nitrogen cycle

Answer 1

he series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.

Answer 2

In the atmosphere, air consists of 78 percent of nitrogen gas. Every cellular component is made up of nitrogen as one of the major components. All living organisms including plants, animals, humans and even microorganisms use nitrogen for their life processes. Despite all these, the concentration of nitrogen in the atmosphere is still 78 percent, although it is continuously being consumed. How is this possible? Why the air we breathe always has the same proportion of nitrogen gas? Nitrogen cycle explains the reason behind this consistency. Let’s learn more about the nitrogen cycle.

Nitrogen is a vital element. It is a part of most of the cellular components like proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), vitamins, etc. It is also a major constituent of chlorophyll in plants. Plants obtain their nitrogen from the soil while animals obtain it from plants. A cycle of processes helps in maintaining the concentration of nitrogen in the atmosphere and meet the requirement of every organism. This cycle of nitrogen is called the nitrogen cycle.

The nitrogen cycle is the recycling and reusing of nitrogen in different forms to meet the demand for various environmental activities. This happens through various processes with the help of certain microorganisms. In the atmosphere, nitrogen is available in a diatomic form i.e. N2. Plants and certain organisms can’t use nitrogen in this form. Therefore N2 is converted into nitrogen oxides like NO, NO2, NO3. Various processes like lightning; industrial combustion, forest fire etc. contribute to these oxides.